In Japan, where vending machines dominate the urban landscape and plastic bottles are accumulating at a disturbing rate, an innovative application seeks to transform our consumption habits. Mymizu, literally “my water”, is the first Japanese free water charging application. It allows everyone to easily locate reusable bottle filling points, while promoting a sustainable and participatory approach.
What is mymizu and how does the application work?
Mymizu is a free mobile app available on iOS, Android and web. Its main objective is to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles by facilitating access to drinking water in public spaces and private partners (coffee shops, restaurants, shops). The user can spot on an interactive map more than 200,000 filling points worldwide, including more than 2,000 in Japan.
The operation is simple: one opens the application, one locates the nearest filling point (public fair, business partner, educational institution, etc.), one goes there, one fills his gourd – And that’s it. The service is completely free, including at participating merchants.
An ecological gesture within reach
Every minute, about a million plastic bottles are sold worldwide. Many end up in oceans or landfills, contributing to ecosystem pollution and accelerating the climate crisis. By facilitating the filling of gourdes, mymizu is part of a concrete approach to reducing plastic waste.
Japan uses billions of plastic bottles every year, although it is an example of sorting. The tap water is still drinking everywhere. Mymizu therefore helps to reconcile residents and travellers with an abundant but under-used resource: municipal water.
A practical tool for travellers in Japan
For foreign visitors, the application represents an economical and ecological alternative to water bottles purchased in konbini or distributors. It not only allows to locate fountains that are often not visible, but also to discover cafes or establishments engaged in a sustainable approach.
In Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka or Hiroshima, mymizu points can easily be found in railway stations, parks, museums, shopping centres, or in independent shops. The app can be used even without speaking Japanese, thanks to its English interface.
The “Refill Tracker”: Measuring Impact
Mymizu not only guides users to water points, it also offers a charging tracking function. By recording each fill, we can see how many plastic bottles, CO2 and silver were saved. This feature aims to make individual efforts visible and motivating.
Such follow-up may also encourage more regular drinking. On a trip, you sometimes forget to moisturize. Thanks to the tracker, users can become aware of their water consumption, an important aspect for health, especially during the hot and humid Japanese summers.
A community and participatory approach
Mymizu encourages its users to contribute to the enrichment of the database. It is possible to add a new open water point (for example, a forgotten public fountain) or recommend a welcoming business. Professionals can also register as charging partners for free.
The application is led by an active community, sharing ideas, organizing events such as beach cleanups, and conducting environmental awareness workshops. Collaborations with universities, NGOs and businesses reinforce this collective dynamic.
Mymizu and sustainability education
One of the major components of mymizu is education. The team hosts more than 100 conferences and workshops a year, addressing topics such as circular economy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and environmental innovations. These actions aim to raise awareness of the importance of daily choices among all generations, from schoolchildren to managers.
Educational programs also include collaborative projects, such as student hackathons, partnerships with international schools, and collective environmental challenges. These initiatives create a shared culture around sobriety and ecological resilience.
Increasing visibility in Japan and beyond
Launched in 2019, mymizu quickly gained popularity. Today it is present in more than 50 countries. In Japan, its impact is recognized: the application has been integrated into several municipal programs (such as Chiyoda in Tokyo), has collaborated with brands such as Kirin or Columbia, and has been featured in events such as the Miraikan or the Mori Museum.
The success of mymizu is based on its simplicity of use, its participatory model and its local anchor. By connecting citizens, traders, communities and travellers around a common goal – access to plastic-free water – it embodies a concrete model of a daily ecological transition.
Why adopt mymizu during your stay in Japan?
Using mymizu during a trip to Japan has many advantages:
- Savings: Avoid buying several bottles of water per day.
- Easy access: geolocation of water points, often invisible.
- Less waste: active participation in plastic reduction.
- Local discoveries: cafes, shops and places engaged.
- Autonomy: free charging, without dependent on stores or distributors.
- Health security: tap water in Japan is clean and controlled.
The application is therefore perfectly integrated into a responsible travel approach. It also provides a better understanding of the place of water in Japanese society, where open access to drinking water is often seen as a common good.
When travelling or daily, adopting mymizu means choosing simple but effective actions for the environment. It is also a way of actively participating in a transition to a more sober and connected lifestyle. Through a dynamic community and an intuitive digital tool, mymizu is charting the way towards a future where drinking water remains accessible to all, without polluting the planet.
Si cet article vous a apporté des informations utiles et peut aider d’autres voyageurs à préparer leur séjour, un avis Google en cliquant sur l’image suivante sera toujours apprécié.
Pour une dose de Japon au quotidien, suivez-nous sur Threads
Japan reusable bottle, Japan drinking water, Tokyo water charging points, mymizu application, Japan plastic-free travel, Japan gourde, Japan ecology, Japan water fountains, Japan plastic bottle avoidance, mymizu app in French, Japan free water, Osaka water fountain, Japan eco-responsible, Japan sustainable travel, Japan gourde filling, Japan plastic reduction, mymizu Tokyo, Japan sustainability, Japan water consumption, Japan ethical travel, Japan, mymizu refill, Kyoto water charging, Japan gourde charging places, Japan gourde app, Japan circular economy, Japan tap water, Japan ecological tips, Japan eco travel, mymizu web app
Discover more from Evasions Rebelles - Travel Planner Japon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
